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DAV!D
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Joined: September 10, 2013
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Location: EL CAMINO
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 Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2015 10:14 am Post subject: T5 syncro worthy of the name tag? |
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After the fairly useless T4 version of the Syncro, did the T5 version finally regain it's Syncro badge status?
I know we can't get them in the US... but I'm curious what the Euro guys have to say about the T5 version of the Syncro.
Looks like quite a bit of improvement to the off-road capabilities vs the T4, so how are these things doing in the real world?
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ALIKA T3
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Zeitgeist 13
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Joined: March 05, 2009
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Location: Port Manteau
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| Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2015 10:24 am Post subject: |
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Isn't Seikel an aftermarket 4WD system?
Why is the T4 Syncro "useless"?
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Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
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DAV!D
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Joined: September 10, 2013
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Location: EL CAMINO
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| Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2015 10:35 am Post subject: |
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| Zeitgeist 13 wrote: |
Isn't Seikel an aftermarket 4WD system?
Why is the T4 Syncro "useless"? |
Is it not a factory option? Isn't Seikel just a suspension lift kit for them?
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kamzcab86
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Joined: July 26, 2008
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Location: Arizona
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Zeitgeist 13
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Joined: March 05, 2009
Posts: 12115
Location: Port Manteau
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| Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2015 10:46 am Post subject: |
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| ALIKA T3 wrote: |
They still have it wrong: engine is in the front  |
They could put the steering wheel in the back if you like. The ultimate back seat driver
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Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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WestyBob
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Joined: June 11, 2004
Posts: 2346
Location: Portland, Oregon
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| Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2015 10:52 am Post subject: Re: T5 syncro worthy of the name tag? |
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The T4/T5 systems are really more for highway/street use. Can stretch to use on back roads too but not really an off-road system.
The latest news is there's a riff at Vw HQ with a possible future shake-up. One camp in particular wants to reinvigorate focus in NA including re-introduction of trucks and campers rather than three or four sedan models. As always, don't hold your breath but future generations may see something more useful from Vw. |
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Waldi
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Location: Germany
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| Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2015 11:22 am Post subject: |
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Must be a real full time 4wd and AWD.
I am sure it transfers torque to the front wheels on dry road in a curve. |
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dobryan
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WestyBob
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Joined: June 11, 2004
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Location: Portland, Oregon
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| Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2015 11:39 am Post subject: |
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| Waldi wrote: |
Must be a real full time 4wd and AWD.
I am sure it transfers torque to the front wheels on dry road in a curve. |
Amen. |
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DAV!D
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Joined: September 10, 2013
Posts: 979
Location: EL CAMINO
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| Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2015 12:10 pm Post subject: Re: T5 syncro worthy of the name tag? |
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| WestyBob wrote: |
The T4/T5 systems are really more for highway/street use. Can stretch to use on back roads too but not really an off-road system.
The latest news is there's a riff at Vw HQ with a possible future shake-up. One camp in particular wants to reinvigorate focus in NA including re-introduction of trucks and campers rather than three or four sedan models. As always, don't hold your breath but future generations may see something more useful from Vw. |
Ahh that's too bad and what I meant by saying the T4 syncro was kind of useless (ie useless for off road).
I saw the pictures above of the T5 4 motion and was hoping they actually put focus back to a more off road capable van.
Let's hope they do something positive at VW HQ and then send it to the U.S. as well.. 
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syncroluvr
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Location: Trois Rivieres,QC
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| Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2015 12:18 pm Post subject: |
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Why not ask Chrysler to make the caravan AWD, then we could have the Routan in AWD also! I cant see VW dropping the Routan to import the T5. Its a nice thought, though.
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Waldi
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Location: Germany
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| Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2015 12:27 pm Post subject: |
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| syncroluvr wrote: |
| Why not ask Chrysler to make the caravan AWD, then we could have the Routan in AWD also! I cant see VW dropping the Routan to import the T5. Its a nice thought, though. |
Because Chrisler is in the USA and there (and here also) is a system where no more good car are build.
It counts only good look and all automatic.
Only selling quantity, no more quality.
With quality economie growth doesnt work. |
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DAV!D
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| Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2015 12:56 pm Post subject: |
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| syncroluvr wrote: |
| Why not ask Chrysler to make the caravan AWD, then we could have the Routan in AWD also! I cant see VW dropping the Routan to import the T5. Its a nice thought, though. |
They actually made them in AWD.. Just very hard to find and not much more than a AWD car off road..
The Caravan, Ford Aerostar and Astro were all made with AWD systems but the only one of note was the Astro because it's fairly capable and the AWD transfer case can be swapped for a blazer 4wd transfer case.
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kamzcab86
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| Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2015 4:50 pm Post subject: |
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T5 4Motion in action:
Link
Link
Link
Link
Link
| syncroluvr wrote: |
| Why not ask Chrysler to make the caravan AWD, then we could have the Routan in AWD also! I cant see VW dropping the Routan to import the T5. |
I hate to break it to you, but VW has already killed off the Routan. Production ended in 2013.
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1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
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WestyBob
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| Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2015 4:58 pm Post subject: |
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I actually have a '99 Chrysler extended length T&C AWD in my fleet. Again the AWD system is really designed for road use -- I suppose a clever gearhead could rework it and the T4/T5 AWD systems into some off-road capability as in the OP pics.
To varying degrees this is what has been done to the syncro although Vw did a lot of off-road testing with the syncro before it came out. I don't envision Chrysler thought of their AWD T&C rig doing the Rubicon Trail (uber tough) for example  |
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Merian
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| Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2015 5:10 pm Post subject: |
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| is 4motion better than the syncro? |
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zak99B5
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Joined: December 21, 2014
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| Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2015 7:09 pm Post subject: |
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| Merian wrote: |
| is 4motion better than the syncro? |
Those are just marketing labels for 4 or AWD systems. They don't refer to a specific system.
4mo in a B5 passat is a real AWD, full time 50/50 split torsen based system. 4mo in a A4 chassis jetta/golf is a haldex-based, FWD until the computer sends power to the rear.
Quattro in a longitudinal Audi is a torsen system, and in the transverse A3 model as well as the TT it's a haldex.
The old VW Quantum Syncro was a torsen system, not the VC of the vanagon. |
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morymob
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Joined: November 09, 2007
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Location: east-tn
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| Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2015 9:58 pm Post subject: |
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| I picked up my syncro about 12yrs ago to replace a 84 gl pushing 340k. Until this yr 3day snow event we havent really had the snow where i live to test the capabilities. This event , icouldn't find ANY resdon to go out in zero temps to test it, otherwise it's been an extremely reliable mule, my 2cts. |
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syncroluvr
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Location: Trois Rivieres,QC
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| Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2015 5:19 am Post subject: |
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| kamzcab86 wrote: |
| I hate to break it to you, but VW has already killed off the Routan. Production ended in 2013. |
Dont feel bad, I didnt know production had ended and I prefer being corrected to having bad info. I think I have only seen about 10 of them (ever). I know that I have seen more Syncro Westies the Routans 
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